The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel has just revealed their newly completed Dearborn meeting and event space renovations. The historic Alexandria Ballroom, the Firestone Room and adjacent foyer spaces have been given a fresh new look.

The renovations include new carpeting, wall covering and window treatments. The ballroom’s crystal chandeliers, first installed more than 70 years ago, were restored to their original grandeur. Painters took extra time and used a metallic gold to highlight the details of the plaster reliefs on the barrel vault ceiling and wainscoting trim.

The Alexandria Ballroom is a historic ballroom that is ideal for Dearborn weddings. It accommodates up to 220 for receptions and other social events. Inspired by a similar room he saw in Alexandria, Virginia, Henry Ford sought to replicate the space in order to hold social and business events of all kinds. The recent renovation revealed two layers of wood flooring - a parquet floor above, which at some point covered the original tongue-and-groove oak planks. No longer practical for today’s uses, the floor is no less appealing with the new carpet, which features striking medallions centered under each of the three chandeliers, flaring out in traditional shades of blue and gold.

Pioneered by corporate leaders in environmental stewardship, Marriott and Ford Motor Company, the Detroit area hotel renovation also focused on energy efficiency and sustainability. The original windows were replaced with energy efficient units that also increased the natural light coming into the space. Cove lighting that accents the vaulted ceiling was replaced with fixtures offering more light with less energy. Rather than replacing furniture as is common in most renovations, existing pieces were refinished and reupholstered to blend period furnishings within the new setting.